Chapter 118: Using the Sword as a Hammer

In truth, the authorities had little experience in handling incidents of this nature, and they certainly could not proceed with excavation recklessly. Fortunately, this was a mountainous region. There was no immediate need to evacuate the public, which greatly reduced the workload.

The ancient devil's current condition remained unknown. However, the great formation of the Buddhist sects was at least still functioning, and the leakage of devilish qi was not particularly severe.

The Daoist masters and Buddhist masters who had gone out to survey the surroundings soon returned. None detected the slightest trace of devilish qi in the nearby water veins.

Following Wang Sheng's suggestion, the armed policemen who had sealed off the mountain were reassigned to roadblocks instead. Only two squads remained stationed near the Ziyan Temple. After all, they were just ordinary people; their main role was to prevent unrelated individuals from entering the mountain and to help transport equipment.

The research institute's task force showed full respect to the cultivators and the ancient devil. They carefully collected water samples from the bottom of the well and swiftly proposed over a dozen detection plans for underground exploration, though they ended up rejecting each one on their own. They could not disturb any of the existing structures, lest they damage the great devil-sealing formation.

In the end, Ma Zibin decided to use miniature robots for the initial survey. However, the robots still required a series of modifications and calibrations; they couldn't be deployed today.

As a precaution, he convened a brief meeting with the Shu Sword Sect's elders and the temple monks to discuss how to proceed. After hearing opinions from all sides, he still ended up having a private conversation with Wang Sheng.

"Fei Yu, what do you think is the best way to handle this? The Daoist masters and Buddhist masters talk in such cryptic ways that I can barely understand a thing."

Wang Sheng thought about it for a moment. "They're essentially saying that the cultivators of today are too weak. Devils couldn't be killed in ancient times, then they're undoubtedly far stronger than the Daoist arts we cultivators possess at the moment. What about modern weaponry?"

Ma Zibin rubbed his chin. "It hasn't been tested, but any modern weapon capable of injuring a Golden Core Realm cultivator would have a blast radius too difficult to control. If we do decide to use such force, it would have to be based on the situation. My theory about using nanobots to erode a cultivator's meridians is still only on paper, and there's also a chance that what lies beneath is one of those incorporeal types of ghosts or monsters."

Wang Sheng was momentarily speechless. He seemed to have just heard something quite dangerous.

"In that case, we can only make full use of the formation that the Buddhist sects had already set up. If the ancient devil truly is alive, it has to be in an extremely poor condition right now."

Ma Zibin frowned. "Strike while it's weak?"

"If this ancient devil has a physical form and its cultivation realm is too high, even if my master came and launched a full-powered strike, there's an eighty percent chance that he still wouldn't be able to wound it."

"I see. Then let's proceed with simultaneous research and precautionary measures."

Ma Zibin gathered his thoughts and held a video conference to report the situation to his superiors. They quickly devised a plan.

The Investigation Unit would invite dozens of eminent monks to come and chant sutras day and night outside the Devil-Sealing Well in the Ziyan Temple, using Buddhist arts to strengthen the formation and purify the devilish qi.

Starting tomorrow, the research institute would deploy every instrument available to conduct a thorough geological survey of the area. The depth and range of the great devil-sealing formation would be mapped out, while research into the devilish qi would proceed in parallel.

Ma Zibin also took the opportunity to apply for permission to return to his laboratory and continue his original research project, which his superiors approved.

The Ziyan Temple had been around for more than thirteen hundred years, and the devil-sealing site had existed just as long. No one knew how long it would take for anything new to happen here, and Ma Zibin naturally had no desire to waste more time at the site. If it couldn't be dissected for study, then it was no longer within his area of expertise.

The Shu Sword Sect also made a promise: if anything abnormal happened at the Ziyan Temple, they would immediately rush over to assist.

By evening, Wang Sheng prepared to return to the mountain with the Daoist masters of the Shu Sword Sect to continue working on the Sword-Controlling Art. With the matter of the ancient devil unresolved, the sect's need to master their Sword-Controlling Art had become even more urgent. Without its complete version, they could not even practice their mountain-protecting formation.

Before leaving, Rufeng called Wang Sheng to the side.

"I heard from the sword sect's elders that you came to assist them." Rufeng took a jade pendant from within his robes. It looked just like the kind that one might buy for ten yuan at a roadside stall. "When I was your age, I was just a clueless little novice, wandering with my master and chanting scriptures.

"Unlike me back then, you're serving the public and helping a renowned sword sect. You're already far stronger than I am or your master when we were at your age. Anyway, this pendant isn't some treasure, and it's not worth anything, but it would make a decent gift for your parents or friends in the mundane world. It can help ward off misfortune and evil."

Wang Sheng accepted the jade pendant with both hands. "Thank you, Senior."

Using voice transmission, Rufeng asked, "What does your mistress look like? Got any pictures? Back in the day, your master kept me guessing endlessly."

"You could ask my master about that, Senior. I don't have any photos." Wang Sheng smiled and shook his head. He had never dared sneak a photo of his mistress. His senior sister was another story, though.

"Alright then." Rufeng glanced at the Ziyan Temple and sighed. "I came here seeking a peaceful place to practice Buddhism, but I stumbled into something strange instead. Just days ago, I was ready to sacrifice myself to suppress that devil. Now that the investigation unit is bringing in so many eminent monks, though, there's no longer any need for me to stay here."

Wang Sheng asked, "Senior, are you thinking of leaving?"

Rufeng chuckled softly. "Once the masters invited by the investigation team arrive, I'll pay a visit to a few old friends and then find a quieter temple to chant in peace."

Everyone had their own path. Wang Sheng didn't think the Buddhist master was leaving out of fear or avoidance.

"If you're heading off on a journey," Wang Sheng replied with a smile, "please make sure to contact my master before you go."

"I'll definitely look for him... Oh, looks like the sword sect elders are waiting for you. Go on then. If you have time, feel free to drop by."

Several elders from the Shu Sword Sect were already quietly standing near the main gate of the Ziyan Temple. Fei Lianzi also watched from a short distance away.

Wang Sheng cupped his hands in farewell and reminded, "Please don't forget to meet with my master. I'll take my leave now."

"Alright, alright." Rufeng waved him off. Standing by the forest's edge, he watched Wang Sheng turn and jog into the fading light of the setting sun. A faint smile played on his lips.

What a warmhearted child. Maybe he's just afraid his master would be too lonely.

Wang Sheng was also smiling faintly as he walked away. He was already doing mental calculations. If he really managed to bring such a powerful Buddhist cultivator to his mistress, maybe she'd reward him with a few pills.

"Come, Fei Yu. Let me introduce you to the elders who arrived today. We're all from the same generation..."

"Greetings, seniors..."

Bathed in the amber hues of dusk, the group from the Shu Sword Sect began their descent. Several elders around Fei Lianzi's age exchanged greetings with Wang Sheng.

According to the traditions that had been passed down across a millennium, it was time for evening prayers. Since all the monks were required to gather around the well in the rear courtyard to chant scriptures, they did not come out to see the sword sect off.

***

At the heart of the mountain, directly under Mount Dajian, a mountain shaped like a sword.

Just as the final glow of sunset faded, a pair of blood-red, emotionless eyes as large as wagon wheels snapped open six hundred meters beneath the Devil-Sealing Well.

As if stirred by its awakening, faint wind chimes echoed through the underground cavern. The chains coiled around the massive sword began to shimmer with a soft golden light.

Buddhist chants rose from the hilt of the sword as the seventy-two golden chains grew steadily brighter. At last, the blood-red gaze showed emotion—resentment, fury, and hatred that ran deeper than time itself.

In the end, however, it could only shut its eyes again in powerless silence.

***

The day's events had somewhat delayed him. Still, past 8:00 PM, the training that Wang Sheng had been waiting for finally started.

Inside the brightly lit Daoist temple, over a hundred young disciples of the Shu Sword Sect had gathered to watch. Donning a Daoist attire, Wang Sheng stood at the center with cords tied around his wrists and ankles. He held his treasured sword, its tip pointing diagonally at the time-worn stone slabs under his feet.

His long hair was tied up, his eyes sharp and focused. Anyone who extended their spiritual consciousness toward him would see the faint phantasm of a sword shining around him.

Sixteen middle-aged Daoist masters stood in a row before him, each holding a sword in hand, their expressions solemn. Everyone's gazes locked onto Wang Sheng.

The content of the Seventy-Two Swords was no longer a secret within the sect. In a serious tone, Fei Lianzi said, "Fei Yu, the Seventy-Two Swords, also known as the Seventy-Two Sword-Controlling Art, marks the heart of our sect's trials. Our founding forefather established this sacred ground of cultivation on the Shu Mountains. Within it are eight layers and seventy-two stages, each containing a unique sword intent.

"From ancient times until now, no one has ever passed the eighth level. However, if you reach the seventh, you may claim the foundational treasure of the Shu Mountains.

"From this moment on, everyone in the Sword Sect will help refine your sword intent until it reaches perfection!"

Wang Sheng remained silent. He briefly closed his eyes as he drew in a light breath. Afterward, he locked on the tall, lean Daoist who had stepped forward.

"I'll go first," the man announced. "The nineteenth sword intent of the Shu Mountains: Endless Autumn Frost Sword Intent!"

A sharp aura surged from him. Though he was already at the peak of the Seed Formation Realm and almost at the Illusory Core Realm, he suppressed it down to the mid stage—just slightly higher than Wang Sheng's realm.

Too great a difference in strength would be unproductive, and an opponent too weak would be meaningless. Only someone stronger by a narrow margin could pressure Wang Sheng through the Dao of the Sword and help him gain new insights in combat.

Wang Sheng remained quiet. His aura had reached its peak; even a single word or unnecessary movement could break the momentum that he had built.

Using the Seven-Star Footwork, he stepped forward and lunged in. The tall Daoist charged as well, his longsword flashing brilliantly.

Wudang's Seven-Star Sword Intent clashed head-on with the Shu Sword Sect's Endless Autumn Frost Sword Intent!